Relations between the geographic distributions of woody plant species and climatic variables in North America. Shows how the spatial distribution of these plants may be expected to change in response to given climatic scenarios.

Changes in Arctic sea ice and permafrost will likely affect populations of wildlife. Migratory birds such as loons rely on freshwater lakes in the Arctic for nesting and food supply; we are studying how their populations are affected by these changes.

Loss of sea ice has increased ocean wave action, changing coastal habitats. For some geese this has been a positive change, increasing the amount of coastal area that supports vegetation the geese feed on.

Polar bears are endangered by reduction in Arctic sea-ice concentration and by reduction in their supply of prey for food. Models shown here indicate anticipated effects on polar bear populations of several climate change scenarios.

Landscapes of interwoven wetlands and uplands offer a rich set of ecosystem goods and services. Changes in climate and land use can affect the value of those services. We study these areas to understand how they may be changing.

The Arctic is warming faster than other regions of the world due to positive climate feedbacks associated with loss of snow and ice. The USGS has modeled the future responses of polar bear and Pacific walrus populations to this environmental change.

Shows how we can use remote sensing to study natural phenomena that vary seasonally but whose timing is affected by both shorter- and longer-term variations in climate or other, similar environmental conditions.

New synoptic data from samples collected in the Arctic Ocean and insights into the patterns and extent of ocean acidification. This foundational geochemical information will help us to understand potential risks to Arctic resources.

Over 30 years of substantial warming, the timing of life cycle events in maize here has changed, threatening the crop yield by exposing the plant at sensitive phases in its life cycle to increased heat and drought, and lowering the weight of its grains.